San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-03-01

u.
which he was lifted by the stout arms
very truth child.
Then the two men ran on to inspect
the horse and cab. "iIil tn old hacks
ed; AN tn car can bide until mornin',
l TAX it. Onything i'side, zur2 Shul'd
i bring these ERE bags an baggages
like2" as a glance revealed Dicks
small portmanteau and multitude
nous parcels slowed away under the
seat.
Bring everything" responded Dick,
land for Heavens sake lose not a mo-
ment; let's get on at any price. 1t
seems to me-" he added to himself I'M
der his breath, that only by the pres
ent intensity of gratitude and joy at the
prospect of deliverance, can | at all es-
innate the previous depths of past de-
spair. That's right, old fellow" as
Browne slowly opened his eyes, thaw-
ing in the genial atmosphere of the
covered cart and beneath the influence
Of Dicks gentle chatting of his numbed
extremities; "we're safe and sound.
thank God! at last. Here, open your
lips, and have another pull at the bot
tie. Heavens! what would have be-
come of US, wonder, but for the dear
pater's cherry-brandyp Capital stuff,
Browne, ehp Cheer up, old man-cheer
up! We shall find ourselves before
roaring fire in less than no time now.
That's better, eh? and, now, don't lose
a minute, my hearties"-this to the
men who were slowing the portmanteau
and packages away at the back of the
cart-"if you reach Burnham Vicarage
within the hour crisp flyer shall be
yours before you lay your heads on the
pillow this night"
Done wi you, Zur," returned Bill
with knowing grin, as he clambered
up to the box-seat and gathered up the
ribbons, whilst Tom burst into a roar,
stretching forth grimmy palm. PAY
up, EUR, sharp. We're no moor than q
matter o. twenty minutes fra tn vicar
age gates, tho out o. Burnham direct
roadl"
"You don't mean It'll" returned Dick,
half incredulous. Good Lordl to
think we might have laid perishing
there all night, actually within stones
throw of home, but for the lucky
chance which set you in our directionl
Were you going into London this terri
BILE evening, Or"
lUlS " d SuIlSScI-
mas Eve!" echoed Tom Indignantly, as
he f1icked tn old mares ears with his
well-worn whip. Were no. SIGH hay
our missuses a-waitin' meanwhile at
'ome. Ma. ma. We carries as a rule
'twixt Burnham an Wimbledon, our
days work wur over IAN stiff enough
an all it proves a. this sayson o. tn
year,, an list as we wur a-turnin' doom
agin Beech Clump, as is a spot wheer
boundaries meet, along O. three fine
beech saplings, oop comes little miss,
a-runnin' till yer c'ud most see tn 'eart
on UT a-thumpin' gen ur bosom. Wull,
no sooner 'ud we gotten tn message
than ses to Bill, SEES l, I'VE maun fust
Message! What messagep" inter-
rupted Dick. 1--WE saw no little MISS
we sent no message!"
For one long moment Tom stared
blankly up into Dicks face, then he
emitted a prolonged howl, addressed
presumably to Bill, who was walking
alongside the horses heads, encourag-
ing and assisting them over the toll
some ground.
"Wha' did l tell yer, Bill, moo? Dost
heer wha' tn gent says? She wur
naught but a pixie, weird imp thing
-th' likes as we've heerd tell on, heer
and heerabouts o. Chrissermas Evel l
ses as much at fust, but Bob ses, ses
he"
"Git outl" quoth Bill with infinite de-
rision, albeit he momentarialy relin-
pushed his hold on the bride, and
dropped alongside the cart, resting his
hand on the shaft, and gazing up wide
eyed and open-mouthed into the faces
of its occupants. IF so be she wur no
morteal crittur, low COON it then as we
found the conveyance an tn gents all
as we heerd say? Letten alone as
"But 1 don't understand" interrupt
ed Dick impatiently. "We saw no
human being and yet you say"
"a little lass COON runnin' longside
O. cart an ses she, al gaspin like: "A
gents opset doom Burnham-road, not
quatter-mile fra tn crossroads. An
you'se to goa at once, an rethcue 'em,
an well paid for tn job yell be an all,
fur he's rect doom rich 'un O. tn rect
sort an no mistake or words t. same
effect" added Tom, with a praise
worthy desire to be perfectly veracious.
Thin she wur off like shot, an, ses
L v
me: 'Wulll we've no choice but to in
vestigate this natter so we turns tn
'osses' leads t'woards tn crossroads,
stead o. t'other DIRECTION; but, afther
awhile, ses to Bill, What an it sho'ld
prove ma but myth? Th'lass wur but
a puir weird crittur!'"
"I'm astoundedl" exclaimed Dick;
"for Pm inclined to swear that we
passed no human being on the road,
and that no human eye lighted upon US!
Pm not of a superstitious turn, else,
egadl it's enough to set one wondering,
and to rouse ones half-forgotten child
ish tendencies towards belief in Christ
mas fairies, sprites and elves. Cabbyl
l say, cabby, are you sufficiently all
there to listen to what these fellows
say, and add your testimony to miner
It's quite impossible, isn't it? that
/"
But prolonged snore from cabby at
the bottom of the cart, snug and warm
beneath the bear-skins and divers
horse-cloths, effectually demonstrated
the futility of applying for corroborat-
i've evidence in that quarter; mean
while, encouraged by Dicks exclama-
nation, Bill took up the parable in his
turn, and continued:
Hill she wur white-faced creetur
an all, uncanny like, an that small!
An she fitted off same way as she
COON; we seed nothing on her Oppear-
ance or disappearance, so t. speak. An
my wife's mother do tell tale as 'ow
years ago, fore oor time, tn common
lad used t be 'aunted by ghosts an
sperrits an'sich like, mostlings o. New
Year an Midsummer Ewes. So it's
gain enuff that night like this"
"Hulloar Dick somewhat profanely
s..An tDI L. .,ft fa NJ